Honoring the Past. Shaping Tomorrow: Expanding Connectivity, Strengthening Security 

Honoring the Past. Shaping Tomorrow: Expanding Connectivity, Strengthening Security 

As we close the NYSERNet40 blog series, we reflect on the transformative milestones that have shaped our journey and look ahead to the future of security solutions for our members. From expanding network reach to pioneering cybersecurity services, NYSERNet remains committed to connecting institutions, advancing research, and protecting digital assets. 

Expanding NYSERNet’s Reach: North Country & Ashburn Connections 

For decades, NYSERNet’s network primarily followed the Buffalo-to-New York City corridor, serving institutions along the Thruway. However, many institutions in New York’s North Country faced unique challenges—including high-cost, low-redundancy commercial internet access due to geographic isolation and limited infrastructure. 

In 2017, NYSERNet made a significant leap forward by partnering with universities, colleges, and the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC) to establish a Point of Presence (PoP) in Potsdam. This expansion provided institutions with the opportunity to: 

✅ Bypass costly commercial routes, ensuring reliable, high-speed internet access. 
✅ Enhance research collaboration by connecting directly to national and global R&E networks. 
✅ Improve access to cloud computing and digital learning resources. 
✅ Boost business continuity with a more resilient infrastructure. 

But this expansion was about more than just bandwidth, it was about building an ecosystem. With a direct connection to NYSERNet’s high-speed fiber network, North Country institutions gained the digital infrastructure necessary to compete, innovate, and grow. Today, this initiative continues to drive research, education, and economic opportunities in the region. 

Strengthening Resiliency: Ashburn & Peering Services 

As part of this expansion, NYSERNet also enhanced network resiliency by establishing a direct connection to Ashburn, Virginia, one of the world’s largest internet exchange hubs. This move provided institutions with: 

🔹 Improved redundancy, reducing reliance on New York City as a single network hub. 
🔹 Optimized cloud access to major providers like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. 
🔹 Low-latency connectivity for high-performance computing, research applications, and even esports programs. 

Additionally, NYSERNet launched a Content Peering Service, allowing institutions to offload high-bandwidth traffic—such as streaming, cloud access, and gaming—directly through peering agreements with providers like Netflix, Google, Facebook, and Apple. This service has helped institutions reduce costs while improving user experience. 

Looking Ahead: A Community-Driven Approach to Security Solutions 

As cyber threats escalate, institutions face growing challenges in balancing security, compliance, and costs. Recognizing this, the NYSERNet Board initiated a dedicated cybersecurity service line—but rather than take a one-size-fits-all approach, we built this program directly from member feedback and institutional needs. 

What Makes Our Approach Different? 

NYSERNet’s cybersecurity solutions aren’t just off-the-shelf products—they’re tailored to address the real-world challenges our members face. Our approach is built on collaboration, peer-driven insights, and actionable solutions to strengthen institutional security. 

🔹 Connecting Peers. Solving Challenges. Advancing Together. 
Security is strongest when institutions work together. We serve as a conduit for collaboration, bringing security professionals together to share insights, problem-solve, and collectively tackle evolving threats. 

🔹 Member-Driven Solutions 
Every service we offer is shaped by direct feedback from our member institutions, ensuring that our security offerings are practical, relevant, and aligned with institutional needs. 

🔹 A Peer Community for Security Leaders 
Through Cyber Pulse, Secure Mastery Workshops, and our Community of Practice, we’re creating a trusted space for security professionals to exchange best practices, discuss emerging threats, and strengthen their institutions' defenses. 

🔹 Actionable Security Programs 
We go beyond theory—our programs provide access to experts to provide solutions that institutions can implement immediately, bridging the gap between strategy and execution. 

We are currently in pilot phase for our new solutions and set for a full launch in mid-2025, to learn more about what we are working on please visit: www.nysernet.org/cybersecurity.  

Be sure to check out our cybersecurity blog series, which launched last week! Share it with your favorite cybersecurity professionals and join the conversation on LinkedIn. https://nysernet.org/blog  

Upcoming Events: Stay Engaged with NYSERNet 

As we celebrate our 40-year journey, we invite you to continue the conversation and prepare for the future at our upcoming events: 

🔥 Fireside Chat Series: Security in Higher Ed & Research – Kicking off March 25, 2025 
A virtual discussion series exploring key cybersecurity topics, starting with a deep dive into Risk Assessments on March 25 at noon. https://cvent.me/drwr3R  

🎉 NYSCIO 2025 – June 11-13, 2025 | Skaneateles, NY 
A premier gathering for education CIOs, CISOs, and IT leaders, fostering strategic discussions on technology, leadership, innovation, and education. www.nysernet.org/nyscio 

🎉 TNCon2025 – September 29-30, 2025 | East Syracuse, NY 
A multi-track conference designed for IT professionals, researchers, and security experts, featuring community-led sessions and hands-on learning. www.nysernet.org/tnc 

A Future of Innovation & Collaboration 

The past 40 years have been filled with groundbreaking advancements, strategic growth, and an unwavering commitment to research and education. But our greatest work is still ahead. 

Thank you for being part of the NYSERNet community—here’s to the next 40 years of innovation, security, and member-driven solutions.